James Durbin Update with videoTalk about a curveball! Last night was Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame night on American Idol, and while everybody else was rocking out all over the stage to Elvis, Aretha, and Tina Turner, resident rocker James Durbin made the gutsy move to sit on a stool and croon "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" with power and restraint. It's an emotional song for James, his signature solo at many local gigs with the White Album Ensemble, and even though he had to sing a shortened version in competition, he still built it to a thrilling conclusion. The judges loved it. "That's the side (of you) that makes the rock 'n' roll side work," said Jennifer Lopez. Randy Jackson said, "That's how to be an artist," while Steven Tyler told James, "That's really a proud moment for you."
Country boy Scotty McCreery had fun with "That's Allright, Mama." Diva Pia Toscano (in an unfortunate capri-length jumpsuit) hit every note right-on in "River Deep, Mountain High," but still looked a bit stiff attempting to move around the stage. Nice guy Casey Abrams delivered a respectable, if unexciting "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" accompanying himself on upright bass. (Although Randy exclaimed that he was "making the upright bass cool!," it would have been cooler had Casey stuck to his original plan and sung "Every Little Thing.")

Haley Reinhart gave a showbizzy rendition of "Piece of my Heart," that totally lacked the necessary grit. Lauren Alaina's attempted Aretha cover, "Natural Woman," was also sung more than felt, a performance not improved by her Dog the Bounty Hunter 'do (high on top, upswept on the sides, long in back) and hideous short shorts. (This is why no woman with any meat on her bones should ever wear extreme shorts; even over leggings, they ride up and create a ghastly line across the hips.) (Although, to be fair, all the ladies were styled this week by Gwen Stefani, who deserves some of the blame for their wardrobe malfunctions.)

Weirdest moment of the night was peppy Paul McDonald—who last week couldn't even hit the high notes in "Rocket Man" with his wispy falsetto—singing (I'm not kidding) Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues." Sure, he had plenty of energy, pickin' and grinnin' across the stage, but seriously, is this a guy you believe would shoot a man in Reno just to watch him die?

So far, James and Scotty have the most unerring sense of picking material that's right for them. Tune in tomorrow to find out how America voted.

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Health Screening

Leo Sun; Full Moon, Venus Retro in Leo; Saturn Direct

It’s a complex week of planetary movements, challenges, demands and callings. We’re in the time of the Leo Sun. Leo—fixed fire, gold, the heart, generous, strong, noble, the king/queen—needs appreciation and praise from everyone in order to move forward. During Leo we gain a greater sense of self-identification by recognizing our creativity. It’s therefore a perfect time for Venus retrograding in Leo. In Venus retrograde we review and re-assess values. Venus retro in Leo concerns our self as valuable, acknowledging talents, gifts, abilities and offerings. Friday, Venus re-enters Leo (29 degrees, a critical degree) continuing the retrograde to 14 degrees Leo on Sept. 6.
Friday (Full Moon) is also the (8 degrees) Leo solar festival, Festival of the Future. Leo is the heart of the sun, the heart of all that matters. When attuned to this heart, we have understanding and inclusivity. The heart of the Lion is Mitra (think “Maitreya,” the coming World Teacher). Leo prepares humanity to receive divine love from subtle sources and later to radiate that love to the kingdoms. Sirius, Ray 2, where love originates, streams through Regulus (heart of Leo), into the heart of the sun (Ray 2) and into all hearts. The heart of Leo is Regulus. Joining Venus, the love underlying all of creation appears.
Saturday is Sun/Neptune (confusion or devotion) with late night Saturn turning stationary direct. Ideas, plans and structures held long in abeyance (since March 14) slowly move forward. (Read more on Leo and the week at nightlightnews.org and Risa D’Angeles’ Facebook page, accessed through my website.)

The New Tech Nexus

Community leaders in science and technology unite to form web-based networking program

Holy Cannoli

Is Santa Cruz turning into Malibu North?

It's got a ways to go before it gets wrecked like Malibu, but I think we need to be very careful about growth.
Maria Mattioli, Santa Cruz, Psychotherapist

Bargetto Winery

A much-anticipated annual event at Bargetto Winery is the release of their very special La Vita red wine. June 7 was the day to be heralded this year, and I happily squeezed my car into their overloaded car park in eager anticipation of tasting the new La Vita nectar.